Split pin contact with protective shroud



30, 1966 D. G. KOHANEK ETAL 3,270,314

SPLIT PIN CONTACT WITH PROTECTIVE SHROUD Filed Aug. 5, 1964 INVENTOR. DEA AVE 6. KO/l/M/EK am/M120 5. 6,4555 ZZ5%? f zM-m Jrraawsrs United States Patent ware Filed Aug. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 386,851 4 Claims. (Cl. 339252) This invention relates generally to electrical connectors, and pertains more particularly to a split pin contact having a protective shroud.

One object of the invention is to provide an electrical connector having a relatively high current-carrying capacity. More specifically, the invention has for an aim the provision of a split pin contact that will provide electrical contact with a socket contact at various angularly spaced points within the socket contact.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shroud that encircles the shanks of the split pin so as to prevent the segments constituting the split pin from being bent outwardly. In other words, the segments constituting the split pin can be readily flexed inwardly when inserted into a socket contact, yet by virtue of the surrounding shroud these segments cannot be damaged by inadvertently being bent outwardly.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical connector that will not be vulnerable to adverse ambient conditions. For instance, it can be employed in the open air for prolonged periods of time without deterioration.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical connector having components which when engaged will not inadvertently come apart owing to the frictional contact provided by a plurality of shanks or spring fingers. In this regard, it is an aim of the invention to provide an electrical connector that will elfectively withstand shocks and vibrations.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an electrical connector that can be fabricated on a miniature scale and which does not require close manufacturing tolerances.

Broadly speaking, the invention envisages a contact having a bulbulous end which is split into four segments. The slot-s providing the segments extend longitudinally so as to provide resilient shanks or spring fingers which permit the segments to be flexed inwardly with respect to each other when inserted into a socket contact. A surrounding shroud prevents the segments from being deflected outwardly or away from each other.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description, made in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar pants throughout the several views and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of one form the connector may assume, the two components constituting the connector being shown in a separated or disengaged rel ationship;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view corresponding generally to FIGURE 1 but with the two components engaged with each other;

FIGURE 3 is an end view of one component taken in the direction of line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken in the direction of line 44 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the component constituting a socket contact has been denoted generally by the reference numeral 10. "This component includes a cylindrical body 12 having a bore 14 and a beveled entrance 16. Still further, the component is formed with a solder stud 18, although it will be appreciated that a solder pot could be used if desired.

The other component which coacts with the component 10 has been labeled generally by the reference numeral 20. The component 20 includes a body 22 and an integral solder stud 24, although hereagain the solder stud could be a solder pot. Extending from the other end of the body 22 are a plurality of resilient shanks or spring fingers 26, these spring fingers having a generally cylindrical exterior of the same diameter as the body 22 but formed with slots 28. The slots 28 extend to the forward or left end, and, as can be discerned from FIGURE 3, form a cross.

The resilient shanks or spring fingers 26 carry integral segments 30 at their free ends which are of a rounded or bulbulous character. The segments 30 each have a shoulder at 32. Before being slitted, the segments 30 formed generally a spherical head. However, the slots 28 cause the original head to be separated into the distinct segments 30. The major or maximum diameter of the original head 30 and also the diameter of the segments 30 in their free state as shown in FIGURE 3 is somewhat larger than the diameter of the bore 14 of the component 10. The difference in diameters, though, is less than the Width of each slot 28 as will be better understood as the description progresses.

At this time, attention is called to a sleeve or bushing 34 that can be molded or otherwise secured with respect to the body 22. The body 34 has a shroud 36 which encircles the various shanks or spring fingers 26, the shroud being of lesser diameter than the body 34 and thereby providing a shoulder 38.. More specifically, the outer diameter of the shroud 36 is only slightly less than the diameter of the bore 14 so as to fit rather snugly therein.

While the shroud 36 prevents the segments 30 from being bent outwardly into a diverging relationship, nonetheless the shroud 36 readily permits the segments 30 to be flexed inwardly or toward each other. Consequently, in use, when the component 20 is to be engaged with the component 10, the segments 30 are inserted into the bore 14 through the beveled entrance 16, and, as this is done, the rounded segments 30 are deflected inwardly toward each other, the slots 28 allowing this to occur. Hence, when the components 20 and 10 are fully engaged with each other, they have the appearance depicted in FIG- =URE 2. The end of the cylindrical body 12 having the entrance 16 then abuts against the shoulder 38.

The shroud 36 has an outer diameter only a trifle less than the diameter of the bore 14, as hereinbefore mentioned, and when the components are mated with each other, the shroud will assist in maintaining alignment, particularly when the connector is subjected to any lateral force or shock. Still further, owing to the resilient nature of the shanks 26, there is a pressural action exerted by the segments 30 against the wall of the cylindrical body 12. Not only does this contribute to a firm retention of the components with respect to each other, but provides a good electrical path between the two components. From FIGURE 4, it will be observed that there are actually eight contact points 40 provided when the components 20, 10 are engaged with each other. In other words, there are crescent shaped portions 41 formed due to the larger diameter of the segments 30 with respect to the diameter of the bore 14.

Consequently, when practicing the teachings of the instant invention, the connector constructed in acc0rdance therewith can be made quite small, will provide excellent current-carrying characteristics and yet will be exceptionally rugged and capable of withstanding various kinds of severe use. Hence, the connector herein described will find utility in various installations, including those where vibration and shock are apt to be experienced. Various electrically conductive metals may be used in manufacturing our connector. The shanks or spring fingers 26, however, should be of a metal having good resilient characteristics, beryllium copper being but one metal that is suitable. The body 34 and shroud 36 are preferably metallic but could be of plastic material, if desired.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed:

1. An electrical connector comprising:

(a) a socket contact having a cylindrical bore of one diameter;

(b) ,a split pin contact including a rounded head of a somewhat larger diameter than said one diameter,

(c) said head having a plurality of slots forming individual segments,

(d) a plurality of resilient shank elements each having an end connected to one of said segments,

(e) said slots extending between said shank elements,

(f) the difference in said diameters being less than the width of each slot, and

(g) a shroud member encircling said shank elements and restnaining said shank elements from being deflected outwardly with respect to each other but allowing said shank elements to be deflected inwardly with respect to each other,

(h) said shroud member having an outer diameter slightly less than said cylindrical bore diameter so as to be snugly fitted in said bore and to thereby assist in maintaining alignment of said contacts when said contacts are mated together.

2. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 1 I in which:

(a) said shroud member is provided with a shoulder against which the entrance end of said socket contact abuts when said contacts are mated together.

3. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 2 in which:

(a) the entrance end of said socket contact is internally beveled.

4. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 2 in which:

(a) each segment has a shoulder adjacent its shank element,

(b) said shroud member extending to said last-mentioned shoulders.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 9/ 1934 Germany. 5/1954 Italy. 

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COMPRISING: (A) A SOCKET CONTACT HAVING A CYLINDRICAL BORE OF ONE DIAMETER; (B) A SPLIT PIN CONTACT INCLUDING A ROUNDED HEAD OF A SOMEWHAT LARGER DIAMETER THAN SAID ONE DIAMETER, (C) SAID HEAD HAVING A PLURALITY OF SLOTS FORMING INDIVIDUAL SEGMENTS, (D) A PLURALITY OF RESILIENT SHANK ELEMENTS EACH HAVING AN END CONNECTED TO ONE OF SAID SEGMENTS, (E) SAID SLOTS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SHANK ELEMENTS, (F) THE DIFFERENCE IN SAID DIAMETERS BEING LESS THAN THE WIDTH OF EACH SLOT, AND (G) A SHROUD MEMBER ENCIRCLING SAID SHANK ELEMENTS AND RESTRAINING SAID SHANK ELEMENTS FROM BEING DEFLECTED OUTWARDLY WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER BUT ALLOWING SAID SHANK ELEMENTS TO BE DEFLECTED INWARDLY WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER. 